Individual Details
ALLEN CARTER
(6 Feb 1865 - 26 Nov 1898)
The Portland Steam Packet Co. had two wood steamers built by the New England Co. in Bath, Maine - the Portland and the sister ship Bay State. Both were 281 feet side-wheelers' the Portland was launched in 1889. Around November 26, 1898 the U.S. Weather Bureau (then in its' infancy) predicted two low's moving towards New England, one was coming from the Great Lakes and the other coming up the eastern sea board. What they could not predict was where they were going to come together.
The marriage of the two systems, consummated in one of the greatest disasters of the 19th century. There were 400 ships and boats lost along the New England coast from this storm. On November 26, 1898 the Portland cast off its' lines and left Boston, Massachusetts, heading for Portland, Maine. Allen Carter worked on the Portland, that night she was sighted in the heavy seas by the Schooner Edgar Randall. Those on board observed the Portland had no lights and the superstructure was badly damaged. At about 11pm the Portland sank about 20 miles north of Cape Cod, Massachusetts.
In reading the Maritime History about the Portland steamer, it stated that it had a shallow draft of 10.8 feet, indicating a riverboat type of construction highly unsuited for the monumental seas and 90mph winds that sent the great ship to her doom.
Hannah was born in Prince Edward Island and came to Portland, Maine as a young lady. She met Allen Carter and when she was 25 years old they were married. After William was born in 1891, she returned to Prince Edward Island to care for her folks, where Elsie was born on February 23, 1893 in Prince Edward Island.
After she lost her husband Allen on the steamer Portland November 26, 1898, she had to go out and work to support her and her children. She went to work for George Pratt, doing housework. On September 19, 1917 they were married. George not being very well passed away on December 14, 1917. Hannah went back to Prince Edward Island to care for her old uncle who was not well. Later she returned to Portland to help care for her grandchildren, due to Elsie and Elmer Reed having parted.
Elsie and Hannah lived on Peaks Island in Casco Bay. Isabel (Carter) Ryder and her family would go over and visit them and enjoy the boat ride across the bay. Hannah would repay the visits by coming over and visiting us at our home. When Hannah was visiting, mother always had a teapot on the stove and she would drink tea all day long. Hannah was a very kind lady and was always good to us boys. She took care of us when mother and dad went out for the evening. I remember going to visit her in the hospital just before she died. Hannah passed away on Jan. 26, 1958, the same day her brother-in-law Edward Carter died. They were both very fine people. [Dana C. Ryder]
References: Dana C. Ryder; E. Isabel (Carter) Ryder; Richard L. & Karen B. (Messmer) Carter.
The marriage of the two systems, consummated in one of the greatest disasters of the 19th century. There were 400 ships and boats lost along the New England coast from this storm. On November 26, 1898 the Portland cast off its' lines and left Boston, Massachusetts, heading for Portland, Maine. Allen Carter worked on the Portland, that night she was sighted in the heavy seas by the Schooner Edgar Randall. Those on board observed the Portland had no lights and the superstructure was badly damaged. At about 11pm the Portland sank about 20 miles north of Cape Cod, Massachusetts.
In reading the Maritime History about the Portland steamer, it stated that it had a shallow draft of 10.8 feet, indicating a riverboat type of construction highly unsuited for the monumental seas and 90mph winds that sent the great ship to her doom.
Hannah was born in Prince Edward Island and came to Portland, Maine as a young lady. She met Allen Carter and when she was 25 years old they were married. After William was born in 1891, she returned to Prince Edward Island to care for her folks, where Elsie was born on February 23, 1893 in Prince Edward Island.
After she lost her husband Allen on the steamer Portland November 26, 1898, she had to go out and work to support her and her children. She went to work for George Pratt, doing housework. On September 19, 1917 they were married. George not being very well passed away on December 14, 1917. Hannah went back to Prince Edward Island to care for her old uncle who was not well. Later she returned to Portland to help care for her grandchildren, due to Elsie and Elmer Reed having parted.
Elsie and Hannah lived on Peaks Island in Casco Bay. Isabel (Carter) Ryder and her family would go over and visit them and enjoy the boat ride across the bay. Hannah would repay the visits by coming over and visiting us at our home. When Hannah was visiting, mother always had a teapot on the stove and she would drink tea all day long. Hannah was a very kind lady and was always good to us boys. She took care of us when mother and dad went out for the evening. I remember going to visit her in the hospital just before she died. Hannah passed away on Jan. 26, 1958, the same day her brother-in-law Edward Carter died. They were both very fine people. [Dana C. Ryder]
References: Dana C. Ryder; E. Isabel (Carter) Ryder; Richard L. & Karen B. (Messmer) Carter.
Events
| Birth | 6 Feb 1865 | Kouchibouguac, Kent County, New Brunswick |  | ||
| Marriage | 19 Nov 1890 | Portland, Cumberland County, Maine - HANNAH MUTCH | | ||
| Death | 26 Nov 1898 | sea on the Steamer - Portland | |
Families
| Spouse | HANNAH MUTCH (1865 - 1958) |
| Child | WILLIAM LESLIE "NICK" CARTER SR. (1891 - 1973) |
| Child | ELSIE CARTER (1893 - 1972) |
| Father | ROBERT CARTER (1830 - 1923) |
| Mother | ELSIE CAIE MACDONALD (1836 - 1918) |
| Sibling | WARD MACDONALD CARTER (1856 - 1939) |
| Sibling | MARIAM A. "MAE" CARTER (1858 - 1930) |
| Sibling | ANNIE DOROTHEA CARTER (1860 - 1914) |
| Sibling | ROBERT J. C. CARTER (1862 - 1929) |
| Sibling | JAMES MACDONALD CARTER (1867 - 1904) |
| Sibling | ELSIE C. "ETTA" CARTER (1869 - 1943) |
| Sibling | WILLIAM CARTER (1872 - 1894) |
| Sibling | EDWARD "NED" CARTER (1874 - 1958) |
| Sibling | ISABELLA CARTER (1876 - 1928) |
| Sibling | MARGARETTE JANE CARTER (1878 - 1901) |
Endnotes
1. CARTER/DAY GENEALOGICAL FILES.
2. CARTER/DAY GENEALOGICAL FILES.
3. CARTER/DAY GENEALOGICAL FILES.